failing grade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failing grade" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in educational contexts to refer to a score or mark that is below the minimum required to pass a course or subject. Example: "After reviewing her exam results, she realized she had received a failing grade in mathematics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Bronx also received a failing grade.

The New York Times

"Ninety-nine percent success is a failing grade".

The New York Times

Eight series, meanwhile, received the failing grade of "F".

The New York Times

The nation over all also earned a failing grade.

The New York Times - Health

At least no one gets a failing grade.

The New York Times

The president of one company whose pet products received a failing grade disputed the findings.

The New York Times - Health

But truth be told, Mr. Bloomberg did give Mr. Thompson a failing grade in spirit.

The New York Times

Forty-three percent scored below a C, while 21percentt received a failing grade.

The New York Times

So how could a school like ours earn a failing grade?

The New York Times

I decided to stop before celts gave me a failing grade.

The New Yorker

On the paper the teacher had written two marks — A-plus and E, a failing grade.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing academic performance, clearly state what constitutes a "failing grade" in your context (e.g., below 60%, a letter grade of F) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Don't assume a single "failing grade" defines overall competence. Instead, contextualize it within the student's broader academic record and identify potential areas for improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failing grade" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. It refers to a grade that is below the minimum standard required to pass. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is the correct and usable term in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

23%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "failing grade" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote an unsatisfactory academic performance. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a correct and usable expression in written English. The phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media, followed by Wiki content, with its function primarily to report or describe an assessment outcome. While "failing grade" is generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to contextualize its meaning by clearly stating the criteria that define it. While alternatives such as "unsatisfactory mark" or "poor score" exist, "failing grade" remains the most direct and widely understood term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsatisfactory mark

Replaces 'grade' with 'mark', offering a more general term for assessment.

poor score

Focuses on the numerical aspect of the grade, highlighting its low value.

failing mark

Combines 'failing' with 'mark', a general term for assessment.

unpassing grade

Uses a less common, but still understandable, negative prefix.

deficient performance

Shifts the focus to the performance that resulted in the low grade.

inadequate assessment

Highlights the assessment's inadequacy, rather than just the grade itself.

substandard evaluation

Emphasizes that the evaluation was below the accepted standard.

unsatisfactory performance

Focuses on performance rather than direct grade.

unacceptable result

Indicates the result did not meet requirements.

fiasco

An informal way to refer to a failure.

FAQs

How to use "failing grade" in a sentence?

You can use "failing grade" to describe academic performance, for example: "She received a "failing grade" in the final exam", or "The school was given a "failing grade" by the inspectors".

What can I say instead of "failing grade"?

You can use alternatives like "unsatisfactory mark", "poor score", or "deficient performance" depending on the context.

Is it always bad to get a "failing grade"?

While a "failing grade" indicates a lack of mastery in a subject, it's not always a definitive measure of overall ability. It can highlight areas needing improvement and be a catalyst for growth.

Which is correct, "failing grade" or "failed grade"?

"Failing grade" is the correct and more commonly used term. "Failed grade", while understandable, is less idiomatic. Use "failing grade" to sound more natural.